India with their backs to the wall

It has just been one of those Test matches. Not once since Ravindra Jadeja dropped Alistair Cook on the first morning has England looked back. India, on the other hand, has always been under the cosh. If you are an Indian supporter it is likely you are saying to yourself we go to Old Trafford 1-1. Not a bad result for a young Indian team but rather unfortunate if we take into account how the Indians had all the momentum after Lord's and how Cook was under immense pressure coming to Southampton. However, such is cricket. While England hold all the aces, it is not over till it is over in this noble game.

The weather, always a significant factor in England, won't help. It will be yet another bright and sunny day, typical of the English summer so far. So will the Indians fold up around lunch or may be post lunch? Will Moeen Ali of all people celebrate a 5 wicket haul? Will this be the turning point for England?

If you are Rohit Sharma or Ajinkya Rahane you don't want to think of any of the above. You just need to think of Faf Du Plessis and AB De Villers against Australia a year or so earlier, of the South Africans just a day earlier in Sri Lanka. 4-5 hours of batting and India will come out unscathed. If any of the two are able to achieve the unthinkable, it will be the greatest day of their lives. Both have talent, both have played long innings in the past, both have the ability to play off the second new ball. Question is do they have the mental strength and the self-belief to say to themselves they can play off the English attack on the last day of a Test match?

One session without a wicket and the English will start to feel pressure. It is normal. For the Indians on the other hand it is important not to think of 90 overs. Or even 30 to start with. It is about 5 overs at a time. Then to drinks. Then lunch, and tea. It will be one of the biggest days for Rahane and Sharma. More than anyone else India are pinning their hopes on these two to play as many overs as possible. Even if England win, it is important India makes Anderson and company toil hard. The more they bowl the more tired they will be with two Tests still to go. Yes, Moeen Ali will get turn but the Indians have certainly played better off spinners at home on rank turners.

The setting is perfect for a heroic batting effort. Michael Atherton, one of the best commentators in the business at the moment, had done it years earlier in South Africa. For India, Gautam Gambhir, warming the bench at the moment, had done it in 2009 in New Zealand. Batting 10 plus hours, Gautam was instrumental in India drawing the game. If Rohit and Rahane are able to play off the first two hours, it is inevitable that the English will start to feel the heat. That, more than anything else, should be India's target.

If you are a betting man you have to bet in favour of England. They are clearly on the verge of making it 1-1. But as I have said before, in cricket it is not over until it is over and with two of India's best still out there in the middle there is always a glimmer of hope. Rohit, more than anyone, should look upon this innings as an opportunity to salvage his position in the team. With so much talk about getting Aswin back, a Rohit Sharma classic can make him an instant hero. Can they play 200 plus balls each? Can they bat for 4 plus hours? Can they save India?

While there is help for the bowlers in Southampton, it is still a track where batsman, if they are in, can bat for decent periods. Cook has done it in both innings. Rohit, dropped by Anderson towards the end of the day, should believe it can be done. Can he actually live in the moment and do it for India? A second century for Rahane in the series and a dogged effort from Rohit and the lead can still be intact.

Mind clearly says England. Heart, however, wants Rahane and Rohit to stand up. Show some fight for god's sake.